Easterseals Central Illinois has always responded dynamically to the needs in our community. During this unprecedented time, we are once again acting swiftly and with compassion to safeguard the wellbeing of Easterseals clients, families, staff, volunteers, donors and the general public.
Today Easterseals Central Illinois announced the below actions designed to support mitigation strategies and to help slow the transmission of the virus in our communities. We are taking a phased approach to planning our course of action, naming this Phase I but keeping in mind that this is a fluid situation and we will continue to respond accordingly day to day.
Easterseals Central Illinois Phase I Response [March 17 thru March 31] to COVID-19:
All therapy appointments will be canceled through March 31st 2020. The Peoria and Bloomington facilities will remain open during this time.
We will continue to accept referrals at this time through all channels.
Classes at the Easterseals Learning Academy will be on hold through March 31st 2020.
Timber Pointe Outdoor Center programs are canceled through April 30th 2020.
Child and Family Connections #14 and #16 will remain open to receive referrals, however home visits are on hold until April 15th 2020.
All special events are postponed through April 30th 2020.
It is our mission to help children with developmental delays, disabilities and other special needs reach their full potential. We will continue to do so as we share resources on our blog and social media channel, as well as be available for families who need assistance to call (309)686-1177 during regular business hours.
By Meghan Cotsones, PT , DPT, Physical Therapist Easterseals Central Illinois
5 Indoor Gross Motor Activities: No Special Equipment Required!
Animal Walks: Great for core strengthening, hip strengthening, range of motion, motor planning, and whole body coordination! Can add visual targets (sticky notes, pieces of colored tape, construction paper, etc.) to help with position of hands/feet for sequencing. Can have siblings or friends race or parents can try along with their kiddos
Pillow and/or Blanket Obstacle Course: Great way to simulate uneven outdoor surfaces such as grass and woodchips from inside! Great for balance, hip and ankle strengthening, and motor planning. Can also jump between pillows for an extra challenge!
Ninja Kicks: Have child stack a tower of blocks or any other toy they like to stack and balance on one foot and kick the tower down with the other. Great for foot-eye coordination, single leg balance, and strengthening for hips and ankles! For added fun, can add ninja sound effects (hi-yah!)
Pushing/Pulling Laundry Basket: Have your child round up their favorite toys and take them for a ride the laundry basket! Have them push it forward and pull it backwards to practice backwards walking. Great for core and lower extremity strengthening! Parents can add heavier objects from around the house (soup cans, sack of potatoes, etc.) for an added challenge.
Box Hurdles: Put old Amazon or empty cereal boxes to good use! Line them up and have your child step, run, or jump over the boxes for a fun motor activity. Can also weave in and out of boxes in a figure-8 pattern a balance and agility challenge!
Katie Pena, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist and Manager of Occupational and Physical Therapy for Easterseals Central Illinois shared this great resource for families looking a social story about washing hands!
Easterseals Central Illinois continues to monitor the developing COVID-19 pandemic and take proactive measures to protect patients, families and staff. We have consulted with state and local officials, in addition to monitoring the CDC website for guidance.
In accordance with the CDC guidelines, Easterseals Central Illinois is postponing three fundraising events that were scheduled for April 2020. These include the Easterseals Ladies Auxiliary Fashion Show (April 7th), Run Walk Roll (April 18th) and Passage to India (April 24th). Discussions with these event committees are underway regarding rescheduled dates for Passage to India and Run Walk Roll. The Easterseals Ladies Auxiliary Fashion Show has been rescheduled to September 1st 2020. Anyone who has purchased tickets these events can expect communication soon regarding rescheduling.
It is our mission to help children in Central Illinois with developmental delays, disabilities and other special needs to meet their full potential. These three events provide vital funds to support that mission. However, we take the health and safety of our staff, clients, supporters and community seriously. We agree with state and local officials that this is the best course of action at this time. We would like to extend our appreciation to the volunteers who have already committed time and resources to developing these events.
Mar 12, 2020 – Easterseals Central Illinois is closely monitoring the developing COVID-19 situation and a taking proactive approach to protect patients, family members and staff. For the most up to date information please visit either of the sites linked below
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people, and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats, and bats. Rarely animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people.
Human coronaviruses are common throughout the world and commonly cause mild to moderate illness in people worldwide. However, the emergence of novel (new) coronaviruses, such as SARS and MERS, have been associated with more severe respiratory illness.
What is Easterseals Central Illinois doing in response?
In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Easterseals Central Illinois is implementing the following changes to our infection control policy:
We are increasing our efforts to sanitize our facilities and equipment as a preventative measure. You will also notice additional signs within our facility reminding you to wash hands often. We also encourage you to wash hands upon entering our treatment rooms.
Fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath, are the main symptoms of Coronavirus. We will be screening for these symptoms upon check-in for your appointment. Easterseals will cancel your appointment if you, your child or anyone in attendance for the appointment appears to be sick.
If your child or anyone in your family is sick, please call in advance to cancel your scheduled therapy appointment.
Can my child come to therapy?
If your child or anyone in your family is sick, please call in advance to cancel your scheduled therapy appointment.
If your child was sick, he/she may return to therapy when the following criteria are met (please note the following criteria has been adjusted by our Medical Director and replaces the information currently found in your Parent Handbook):
Fever free for 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines. A fever is considered to be 99.5 degrees or higher.
If your child or anyone in your family has been exposed to Coronavirus, you must cancel appointments for 14 days after being exposed to the virus and be symptom free before returning to Easterseals services.
No respiratory symptoms (coughing, shortness of breath, etc.) for 7 days.
If your child does receive a positive Coronavirus diagnosis, a Dr.’s note will be required before returning to therapy services.
Sickness with infectious symptoms, following recent travel outside of the U.S. will require a Dr.’s note before returning to therapy services.
Finally, if your child has been absent for 3 or more consecutive sessions due to an illness or if your child is hospitalized, a Dr.’s note will be required before your child’s return to therapy services.
If you have questions or concerns regarding your services with Easterseals Central Illinois or our response to the coronavirus, please call (309)687-1177.
If you have questions or concerns about the coronavirus in general please contact The State Public Health Dept hotline. The number is 1 (800) 889-3931 or email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV
Bryce’s high school graduation announcement picture.
He loves planning and going on vacations, and his parents share that he loves to keep busy through helping around the house and in the community, and by fostering his creativity through art projects, as well as singing, dancing, and acting.
In January of this year, Bryce performed in Legally Blonde – his 7th production with the Penguin Project, a theatre group which produces musicals every year starring individuals with disabilities and their peer mentors. Of the seven productions he has been a part of, he has had speaking roles in the last five, requiring him to memorize lines. Most recently, Bryce played Kyle the UPS Driver, and stole the show when leading the company in an Irish dance.
Bryce performing as Kyle in the Penguin Project’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical.
Bryce was the first child through the Easterseals Early Autism Diagnostic Clinic in January of 2003. His mom, Libby, shares that “Bryce has grown tremendously from our early days with Easterseals, and we continue to observe and celebrate that growth daily. Some memorable highlights include riding his bicycle without training wheels, using his language to convince us to get a puppy, graduating with his high school class, and planning vacations. Through the Penguin Project he has demonstrated growth in his acting ability, delivering multiple lines in speaking roles on stage in front of more than 1000 people.”
Bryce performing in the Penguin Project’s 2018 production of Mary Poppins.
Bryce’s parents want him to always have a purpose driven life, in a place where he is happy and celebrated — not just tolerated. To their family, inclusion is a feeling of acceptance not a place. The barriers to achieve inclusion need to be removed for individuals to achieve their greatest potential.
His mom shares that “it has always been important for us to work hard so that Bryce is a member of his community. That includes being in classes with his Gen Ed peers as a part of his school community, going to restaurants and stores in our local community, and travelling the world as a part of his global community. Bryce loves to fly on airplanes, ride on subways, trains, and buses. He has explored much of the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe. He loves hiking and driving through mountains and National Parks. He has explored Denali in Alaska, the French Alps, the Smokey Mountains, and the Rocky Mountains from New Mexico to the Canadian Rockies. Inclusion means that Bryce is accepted wherever he is in the world.”
Bryce and his family (Brother, Koen; Mom, Libby; Dad, Frank) enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery during a family vacation to Yosemite National Park.
For their family, being empowered means having the knowledge to confidently advocate for Bryce and other families with special needs children. Together with friends and partners, they have hosted an annual gathering of nearly 100 organizations from around Central Illinois for the past 13 years to showcase their services across the special needs community. They have also worked with their school district to adopt programs to foster empowerment and inclusion.
Go Grease Lightning! Bryce and members of the company of Grease performing one of the musical’s biggest numbers.
“I always say no one gets where they’re going on their own, and we certainly didn’t. It takes a village to raise a child, and Easterseals has been a huge part of our village.”
We are so excited to see where Bryce’s bright future takes him.
Bryce and his family attending the Easterseals Century Ball in November of 2019.
Learn more about Bryce’s journey with the Penguin Project by watching his mom’s heartfelt testimonial below!
By Alyssa Huschen, MOT, OTR/L, Easterseals Central Illinois
Tired, annoyed, excited, silly, embarrassed, frustrated… These are just a few of the feelings our children experience throughout the day. For some children, they may all be felt in the span of an hour. However, despite being in the midst of this whirlwind of feelings, our expectations often demand that children be polite, behave appropriately, and learn new things. Children need a way to make sense of what they are feeling so they can remain in control. The Zones of Regulation® is a self-regulation model created by occupational therapist, Leah Kuypers, MA Ed. OTR/L, that is becoming more widely recognized in homes, schools, therapy clinics, and other locations that serve children. It helps children to classify their emotions based on color coded and easy to understand “zones.”
“What are the zones/colors?”
The Blue Zone
Feelings: Tired, bored, sad, etc.
Actions: Yawning, frowning, head down, etc.
The Green Zone
Feelings: Calm, happy, focused, etc.
Actions: Sitting still, making eye contact, smiling, etc.
The Yellow Zone
Feelings: Excited, frustrated, silly, nervous, etc.
Actions: Fidgeting, pacing, bouncing, etc.
The Red Zone
Feelings: Angry, terrified, out of control, etc.
Actions: Yelling, hitting, crying, etc.
“Is any zone bad?”
No! Some children and adults are under the impression that the blue, yellow, and red zones are undesired and we should strive to be in the green zone all day. In reality, life would be boring if we lived in one zone exclusively. For example, at a funeral or before bed, being in the blue zone can help us to show empathy or wind down. If we’re playing tag at recess with friends, we will probably run faster if we embrace the excitement of the yellow zone. A wide range of feelings is normal and a child should never be punished for being in a particular zone. When children learn and accept that all zones are ok and experience the natural consequences that come with them, they will be more willing to try tools for moving between the zones.
“I’m in the red zone, now what?”
Through the Zones of Regulation® program, children learn various sensory and coping tools and strategies for moving to a more appropriate zone for the situation they are in. In the red and yellow zones, the best tools typically have a calming effect. Some great ideas to try include:
Asking for a hug
Rocking or swinging
Chewing gum
Taking a drink of water
Going to a quiet space
Listening to music
Taking deep breaths
“I’m in the blue zone and can’t focus. What should I do?”
There are plenty of tools that could be used to achieve greater alertness when in the blue zone. Strategies with a typically alerting effect include:
Running
Jumping jacks
Getting out of your seat and moving around
Bouncing on a ball
Eating a crunchy snack
Keep in mind that no two children have the same sensory needs, so the way they self-regulate may look very different. If one strategy doesn’t have the effect you desire, try another! Be creative!
“My child would not understand this.”
The Zones of Regulation® program can be introduced at any time starting around the age of 4 and with varying developmental levels. Lessons can be kept fairly basic for young children. The wide variety of visual tools the authors of the program have published makes it possible to implement with children who are non-verbal or have other disabilities that impact their communication or social skills. It is recommended that the zones concepts are discussed as a family. This not only helps improve a child’s understanding of the material, but also normalizes the zones so that kids don’t feel like they are expected to discuss it as a form of consequence.
“We understand the zones, what’s next?”
The Zones of Regulation® program also includes a wide variety of lessons to increase understanding of facial expressions and body language, understanding others’ perspectives, recognizing triggers that move us quickly to another zone, understanding the scale of a problem we’re faced with and how to react accordingly, thinking positively, being flexible, and exploring sensory tools.
By: Easterseals Central Illinois Occupational Therapy Department
Using a blanket during play provides opportunities to address your child’s sensory processing skills, motor planning, and strength. Blanket activities can be used to provide proprioceptive (input to muscles and joints), deep pressure tactile, and vestibular (movement) input.
Blanket swing:
You’ll need two people for this activity. Each adult holds one side of the blanket while the child lays inside the blanket. Gently bounce or swing the child for vestibular input. Slow, back and forth, movement is calming for the sensory system. Quicker movements are typically more alerting. Try incorporating language for requesting “more swinging”. Try changing positions for sitting or lying on your stomach, side, or back. Playfully engage your child in thematic play or songs. Try interrupting quick movements with crashes. Including siblings by taking turns pushing one another for heavy work.
Parachute:
Hold edges of blanket and move blanket up and down/shake blanket. You can engage in peek-a-boo by hiding underneath, put a ball/balloon on top to play “popcorn”, or change speeds. This provides proprioceptive input and is a great way to play with your child.
Blanket Burrito:
Use blanket to wrap your child up into a burrito. Have your child lay on the edge of the blanket, have them hold onto the edge, and then roll them up in the blanket tightly (leaving head free). Provide additional deep pressure by squeezing with your hands or rolling a ball on top of your child. You can then pull the edge of the blanket to allow the child to unroll quickly for a fast blast of sensory input. Try playing “inch worm” by crawling across the floor or roll into items such as a block tower.
Blanket Sled:
Have your child sit on a blanket and pull them across the room to provide vestibular input. Vary speed to provide different intensities of input. Take turns and have your child pull a sibling or other items on the blanket for a proprioceptive “heavy work” input. Use this as a transition tool to get from one room or activity to the next.
Make a tent:
Use a blanket to make a tent under a table or push chairs together to make a tent. Having your child set-up the chairs addresses strength and motor planning skills; it also provides proprioceptive input. You can use this as a calming space or in pretend play.
For 45 years, the Easterseals Telethon has brought members of our community together in pursuit of 100% Inclusion, 100% Empowerment for all children. This year, in preparation for our 46th Annual Easterseals Telethon, our campaign luncheons have focused on Easterseals service lines. Read on for a glimpse into one family’s experience with Easterseals.
Trisha and her son, Cruz, enjoying a moment together during an in-home Occupational Therapy session with Easterseals.
For many, a new year means new opportunities. New experiences. Fresh starts. At Easterseals, the arrival of the new year has always meant one thing, specifically: the arrival of Telethon season.
For 46 years, the Easterseals Telethon has been a staple event in Central Illinois. A chance for the entire community to come together and celebrate the culmination of the annual Easterseals campaign. An event where old friends and new friends come together to celebrate Easterseals, an organization that has been a major part of the lives of so many families in our community (over 7,000 in 2019 to be exact). An event where it is clear that everyone connected to Easterseals is a member of our family.
With the arrival of Telethon season comes the Telethon Campaign Luncheons. This month, we enjoyed our New Year Kickoff Telethon Luncheon which focused on our Motor Therapy Services. We heard from two of our Easterseals Therapists, Katie Pena, OTR/L and Joanna Stuck, PT, CIMI, as well as Trisha Romero, a mom of one of our current Easterseals Ambassadors.
In a speech that was equal parts informative and heartwarming, Trisha shared her family’s story.
“Cruz is an adorable 20 month old that brings so much joy to our family. He loves to play with his older two brothers, and just like many other toddlers his age, he enjoys going on walks outside, taking baths, exploring our house and hearing music… Cruz also has Down syndrome, which means that he has just a little something extra, and we now refer to ourselves as a Rockin’ Family,” she shared.
Trisha continued, sharing that it was during a non-invasive prenatal test that she and her husband, Omar, found out that Cruz would most likely be born with Down syndrome. After further testing and time spent researching, they began connecting both locally and via social media with other families that had children with Down syndrome.
After what Trisha referred to as a “fast and furious” birth, she and her husband knew that Cruz would need special services, and that early intervention would be critical for his physical and intellectual development. When Cruz was just 1-month old, he was evaluated by a Physical Therapist and a Developmental Therapist, and has been receiving services since he was 3-months old.
Currently, Cruz is receiving occupational therapy, developmental therapy, and speech therapy in addition to physical therapy and feeding therapy. He is currently working on many goals, and has achieved so many milestones in the past year and a half.
“We are very happy with our team of therapists… Joanna Stuck is our physical therapist… we value our meetings with her as Cruz works on his gross motor skills. Joanna is amazing at demonstrating how he should be doing things and explaining things very thoroughly. Katie Pena is our occupational therapist. Katie always brings a bag full of toys to play with… Katie is always so informative and checks in with me to see if there are any specific areas I would like to focus on,” shared Trisha.
Throughout his mom’s speech, Cruz made his way throughout the room, melting the hearts of everyone in attendance by walking on his own with his walker and waving hello.
Trisha closed her speech by answering questions she asked herself when she received Cruz’s initial diagnosis. She stated that having Cruz has made their lives so much better than they could have ever imagined, and that she can already see how her older sons will protect Cruz and be more inclusive of others who may be different. As employees of Caterpillar, her and her husband have received support and flexibility in making sure that they can attend Cruz’s therapy sessions and doctor’s appointments. On Cruz’s future, Trisha shared that “we are going to give him as many opportunities that we can to let him learn and explore the world and live his life.”
Cruz’s family, and over 7,000 others in the last year, received the services and care they needed through Easterseals. This would not be possible without the support of devoted and caring members of our commnity.
Are you ready to be involved with the mission of Easterseals? Be a part of our 46th Annual Telethon. Contact Haley Tenney at htenney@eastersealsci.com for more information.
Animal Walks: Great for core strengthening, hip strengthening, range of motion, motor planning, and whole body coordination! Can add visual targets (sticky notes, pieces of colored tape, construction paper, etc.) to help with position of hands/feet for sequencing. Can have siblings or friends race or parents can try along with their kiddos.
Pillow and/or Blanket Obstacle Course: Great way to simulate uneven outdoor surfaces such as grass and woodchips from inside! Great for balance, hip and ankle strengthening, and motor planning. Can also jump between pillows for an extra challenge!
Ninja Kicks: Have child stack a tower of blocks or any other toy they like to stack and balance on one foot and kick the tower down with the other. Great for foot-eye coordination, single leg balance, and strengthening for hips and ankles! For added fun, can add ninja sound effects (hi-yah!).
Pushing/Pulling Laundry Basket: Have your child round up their favorite toys and take them for a ride the laundry basket! Have them push it forward and pull it backwards to practice backwards walking. Great for core and lower extremity strengthening! Parents can add heavier objects from around the house (soup cans, sack of potatoes, etc.) for an added challenge.
Box Hurdles: Put old Amazon or empty cereal boxes to good use! Line them up and have your child step, run, or jump over the boxes for a fun motor activity. Can also weave in and out of boxes in a figure-8 pattern a balance and agility challenge!
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